This Week Around The Web

Make money by doing nothing, don't donate and plan for an accident.

Art of Being Cheap — If you have young kids or are a video gamer, Andy believes buying batteries over and over again is a waste of money. He found a charger on Amazon.com for only $13. With the best-selling AA batteries on Amazon.com selling for $15 for 48, you can save $30 a year — and it’s good for the environment.

He also suggests gamers make the mistake of buying “special rechargeable batteries that only fit their controllers.” He then poses the question, why get batteries that only work in your games controller instead of standard-sized ones you can use everywhere? Why indeed.

LenPenzo.com — Written by an anonymous author that’s well off — “Ebenezer Scrooge” — this blog inspired some interesting comments. So, why does he refuse to donate? He already indirectly donates by paying his taxes. Giving to charity adds up, he says: “The average household donated almost $3,000 to charity in 2013. Over a 40-year career that amounts to $400,000, assuming I earn a 5% return.”

More reasons include that his money may be wasted if the charity doesn’t use it wisely; if he’s down and out, who says any charity will help him; and “it makes more sense to donate my time instead.” Those are just a few. Check out the blog for the entire list and read the comments section for fun debate.

Budget Blonde — Maintaining a budget is tough. Cat knows, because she is a budgeting fiend (feline?), and she wants the rest of us to know we’re not suffering alone. So she created a list of how budgeters often feel. “There will be times… when you’ll be jealous of your friends shopping,” when you’ll cry in frustration, when you “say no to friends going out.”

But, there will also be times when you can go on a memorable vacation because you went without one for years, when you can afford an expensive car repair because you budgeted, when “you’ll inspire someone else” to be frugal and budget.

Reach Financial Independence — I thought this was very helpful because, as Pauline comments, “no one plans to get into an automobile accident.” But it certainly helps to prepare, because accidents can be costly to your health and wealth. First start by having insurance and keeping the card in the car. Also, create a road safety kit. She provides a list of the contents, which I’ve done before too.

Right after the accident, don’t immediately get out of the car — “assess the situation.” You could get hit by traffic. Don’t admit it was your fault, and don’t place blame. Wait for the police. Contact your insurance company ASAP. Days after the accident, “follow up with your doctor,” call your insurance company, and get a lawyer if necessary.